Evaluation of a Brief, Online Intervention for Military Personnel



Status:Recruiting
Healthy:No
Age Range:18 - Any
Updated:8/4/2018
Start Date:June 25, 2018
End Date:December 31, 2019
Contact:Lauren A Stentz, BA
Email:stentz@psy.fsu.edu
Phone:(850) 645-1766

Use our guide to learn which trials are right for you!

This randomized controlled trial will compare the effectiveness and acceptability of a
computerized treatment targeting anxiety sensitivity compared to an active control: Physical
Health Education Treatment (PHET) to determine efficacy among military personnel when
delivered over the Internet.

Purpose: To investigate the efficacy and acceptability of a computerized stress sensitivity
treatment delivered online among a population of U.S. military personnel.

The objective of the current proposal is to evaluate the efficacy of the Cognitive Anxiety
Sensitivity Treatment (CAST) program in an online RCT through Amazon's Mechanical Turk with
Veterans and military personnel. The primary outcome variables will be traumatic stress,
anxiety, and depressive symptoms. The study is being conducted at Florida State University.

Specific Aims: (1) Evaluate the efficacy of the CAST program delivered over the Internet
among Veterans and military personnel; (2) Assess acceptability and usability of the CAST
program delivered over the Internet without in person appointments; (3) Determine the
feasibility of using Amazon's Mechanical Turk to recruit and conduct a fully online
randomized controlled trial of a computerized treatment.

Veterans or active duty personnel (N = 100) who are at increased risk for mental health
problems, as indicated by elevated anxiety sensitivity, will be recruited through Amazon's
Mechanical Turk. Mechanical Turk is an online marketplace for individuals interested in
completing computerized tasks, such as research surveys, for compensation. Participants will
complete self-report symptom measures before and after the intervention as well as at a
4-month follow-up appointment. The intervention is a single session and lasts approximately
45 minutes. The intervention contains educational material to dispel commonly held false
beliefs about the dangerousness of experiencing anxiety symptoms, for example elevated heart
rate or a difficulty concentrating. Then participants are guided through an exercise designed
to bring on these uncomfortable bodily sensations to help participants reduce the amount of
distress these symptoms cause. Participants will also be asked to provide feedback related to
acceptability and usability of the intervention.

Inclusion Criteria:

- at least 18 years of age

- current or past member of the U.S. military

- elevated anxiety sensitivity as indexed by ASI-3 cognitive concerns subscale

Exclusion Criteria:
We found this trial at
1
site
Tallahassee, Florida 32306
Principal Investigator: Norman B Schmidt, PhD
Phone: 850-645-1766
?
mi
from
Tallahassee, FL
Click here to add this to my saved trials